When (Relocating) Clients Become Neighbors

The best part of my job is helping my clients navigate an important part of their lives, hopefully with some level of comfort, efficiency and joy. Buying a home can be a stressful and complicated process, but fully relocating is another beast. Listing and selling a home in another state, identifying and buying a home in a new place you’ve never lived, while simultaneously switching jobs, and packing your life to move while raising two small children are next-level life achievements.

My clients Stephanie and Patrick have just completed all of those steps with the sale of their home in Los Angeles and simultaneous purchase of this beautifully-renovated 108-year-old beauty in SE Portland’s Richmond neighborhood, and I’m in awe of the complexity and fortitude this effort has required.

Throughout it all, Steph and Patrick maintained a positive, can-do attitude and we formed a powerful partnership across two states to meet the challenges of the transaction. I’m grateful to them for their teamwork, and am excited that they’ll soon be my just-down-the-street neighbors.

We first met in the summer and spent an afternoon touring homes in NE and SE Portland, as well as in Happy Valley and Oregon City. Steph and Patrick loved the idea of the spaciousness of the newer communities and developments, but also really wanted to experience the vibrancy of inner eastside Portland neighborhoods and the authenticity and unique characteristics of a classic Portland home. School quality was also a top consideration. Our tours continued through those same areas over three days in November. One particular home in West Linn emerged as a clear front-runner, but the second-to-last home we visited – this home – spoke to them immediately. They found their new Portland home.

Ultimately, the winning combination consisted of the quality of the Glencoe, Mt. Tabor and Franklin schools, stellar location near Hawthorne Boulevard (with ¿Por Qué No? and Ruby Jewel across the street, say no more!), large, spacious floorplan and solid bones all with a very beautiful renovation (no surface was left untouched), and the unfinished basement with lots of potential for more family space. You can’t ask for much more that, and I’m so happy that they persevered and found just the right place to start experiencing life in the Rose City.

Helping clients joyfully realize their goals brings me great satisfaction, both personally and professionally, especially great clients relocating to Portland who then become your neighbors.